The receivers for Apollo House have moved to have a group of homeless people and campaigners removed from the Dublin city building.
They applied to the High Court this afternoon for an injunction to have the NAMA owned building vacated.
Our Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney reports:
This afternoon, an impromptu concert was held outside Apollo House by campaigners including Glen Hansard, Kodaline and Hozier, attended by hundreds of supporters.
The campaigners say they've received huge support from the public.
But in a statement this afternoon, receiver Tom O’Brien said the building was not fit for such a purpose, and was a danger to what he called the illegal occupants – as the fire insurance has run out.
Dublin City Council says it will open up 210 new beds in Dublin city centre this week.
Campaigner with Home Sweet Home, Rosie Leonard says their primary concern is the residents in Apollo House;
The Owners of Apollo House are "worried about the health and safety of those staying in Apollo House"' pic.twitter.com/3OQSHqhiY0
— Glen Hansard (@Glen_Hansard) December 20, 2016
Statement from Tom O’Brien, Mazars, Receivers to Apollo House
Since becoming aware last Friday of the occupation of Apollo House by representatives of Home Sweet Home Coalition, as Receivers our immediate priority and concern has been the health and safety of the homeless people seeking shelter there. While we endorse the importance of highlighting the need for providing shelter to the homeless and the most vulnerable in society, the provision of such sheltered accommodation must be done in an organised, structured and sustainable manner. That is not possible in Apollo House.
We immediately engaged with Dublin City Council and homeless charities who provide shelter and care to the homeless with a view to ensuring that appropriate alternative accommodation, with the necessary facilities and staff, would be available to those who might seek shelter in Apollo House. All homeless charities recognise as a fundamental principle that shelter accommodation must be staffed by trained and properly resourced care professionals in order to create as safe and controlled an environment as possible.
Apollo House is a commercial premises which was closed down in 2015 due to its poor condition, pending redevelopment. We share the views of the homeless agencies that the building is completely unsuitable for residential use and lacks the most basic facilities needed by those who are homeless. Notwithstanding the efforts by Home Sweet Home to provide these basic facilities, the building simply does not meet the requirements for a sustainable, safe physical and caring environment.
Another very significant issue is that this illegal occupation of Apollo House has resulted in the loss of fire insurance cover for the building which poses an immediate and significant risk to the occupants and to neighbouring property and occupiers. As the Receivers to Apollo House we cannot responsibly allow this situation to remain.
Dublin City Council has confirmed that they expect 210 new beds to become available this week in three city centre facilities. These facilities are run by homeless agencies who provide not just beds but a full professional support service comprising professional care, medical and counselling staff along with access to public health nurses. Dublin City Council has agreed to work with these housing agencies so that all those sheltering in Apollo House can be accommodated in these facilities.
Our overriding concern is for the health and safety of those who are homeless currently staying in Apollo House. The Receivers have tried to meet with Home Sweet Home in order to organise a move of those in Apollo House to appropriate accommodation with the full support services provided. We call on those behind Home Sweet Home to act responsibly and work with Dublin City Council to immediately end the current occupation in the best interests of those who are staying there.
We have tried to engage constructively with those involved and have on a number of occasions sought to meet with them but to date, Home Sweet Home have not made themselves available to meet with us.
The situation at Apollo House cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely for the reasons mentioned. In the event that cooperation is not immediately forthcoming, as the Receivers to Apollo House we have no option but to take the only responsible course available and look for assistance from the courts in seeking to resolve this issue in the best interests of those currently in occupation at Apollo House.
